Interview with Dr. Phil

An email interview with Dr. Phil , as it was discovered that he has a great interested in using Dietary supplements rather then prescription drugs as part of his recommended Therapy.

1. In layman terms can you describe the difference between an opiate? and Opioid?

Back in medical school days an "opiate" was a natural derivative of the native opium poppy. An "opioid" was a synthetic look a like or act a like compound that displayed the same analgesic effect and had a similar pharmacological profile. However, today the distinction is not commonly made and the two words are interchangeable.

2. Do you believe that legislators banning Kratom illustrates what can happen when hype trumps science?

Yes, this is exactly what happened in Atlanta when one anti Kratom gentleman "hogged" the attention span of the legislators with subjective hype and claims and left virtually no attention span of the Assembly members for true and objective case studies I could have presented. I'm thinking that the motion would have been quashed rather than tabled had science been given an equal opportunity. Science and objectivity first and hype and emotion second will further a more balanced appreciation of benefits and limitations of Kratom by people of intelligence and political influence.

3. How are you utilizing Kratom as a complement to pharmaceuticals?

I use it in a variety of conditions from fatigue, depression, ADHD, and minor to moderate pain management, premature ejaculation and part of comedown of polypharmacy or opiate comedown in later stages when patients pass from oxycodone and high hydrocodone to moderate and lower doses. In almost all instances in patients that see me it is an adjuvant therapy. Those that use it "solo" need no prescription and thus don't need a script from me or any other physician.

4. Why is Kratom such an effective option?

It is helpful for the majority of patients to whom and what dose I recommend it. There are varying degrees of effectiveness and very minor adverse effects that are GI related, two have had itch without skin rash and one person had increased anxiety of 8-9 hr duration. About 30% are non-responders.

5. Do you have a specific success story (or stories) that highlight the tremendous value of Kratom?

I have 45-50 patient case studies and growing. I brought them to Atlanta to share with the Health and Humans Services Committee but was defacto denied opportunity to give greater detail to committee as previous advocates (Hype) had apparently run out the clock for any scientific and clinical experience to be shared with the fatigued members of the House. Clearly. I had the most useful, objective, scientific and clinical experience and was allowed the least amount of time.

6. What do you think are the biggest misconceptions about Kratom?

The issue was not that of misconception of Kratom. The issue in my arena was that of ignorance of Kratom and it's uses.

7. Have you seen any downside to using Kratom?

The greatest "downside" is that it it isn't as "strong" as would be hoped. NTL it is still a very useful in my clinical setting. The Universities of Josai and Chiba (both are on the outskirts of Tokyo) now have the patent on mitragynine and 7 hydroxy mitragynine and are looking to make a more potent derivative of it's properties. Smith Kline had the patent in the 1960's but failed to come up with a better compound than that already in the natural plant. We will see what the Japanese team comes up with in the next couple of years.